Day 5 - 168 -- Cooking Spring Delights

A quiet Sunday was spent reading for research, finishing house cleaning chores and cooking a nice supper -- all with sunshine and cooler temperatures. Very pleasant. During the afternoon, I visited a friend to gather some rhubarb from her garden. The spring has been wet and cool so the plants were stunning in their growth. Flowers and vegetables were being added to the beds today. The bag of rhubarb stalks made one large and two individual crisps. These will be tested as the bedtime snack tonight. <smile>

I grew up with rhubarb in the backyard. We had pies, crisps and the most delectable conserve -- a jam-like product. I prefer crisp to pie, so I do make that regularly and regularly ensure the conserve is in the pantry. I have been lucky to have rentals that had rhubarb plants in the yards. Where I live now had amazing plants in two locations. Due to theft of every stalk for two consecutive years, none grows here now. I did attempt to replant once, but the roots didn't survive the winter. So, in the words written by Tennessee Williams for his character, Blanche DuBois, I now "depend on the kindness of strangers." Well, not strangers so much as friends and colleagues -- so 'others' might fit the line better for me. <smile>  In its raw form, rhubarb is not appealing in the least. This is one of many foods that makes me wonder who first cooked this plant. I'm so glad they did, since it is something that makes me smile.

Needless to say, there is a song to fit the events of the day. The lyrics seem particularly perfect since we're told it will rain tomorrow. The song is by a singer-songwriter who was part of one of my favourite bands. This song is from his solo career and follows a roots rock style. Enjoy!

Rhubarb Pie -- John Fogerty